U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary to Decide ABA's Law School Accreditor Status After Advisory Panel Deadlock

The U.S. Department of Education Under Secretary Nicholas Kent is set to make the final decision on the accreditor status of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section on Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar by the end of the year. This follows a deadlock by the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), which failed to issue a recommendation after a contentious debate. The committee was divided on whether to completely revoke the ABA council's powers or impose limitations. Kent's determination will be based on hearing transcripts and a Department of Education report that recommended stripping the council of its national accreditor status.